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  Modular recovery apparatus and methodUSPTO Application #: 20060130510Title: Modular recovery apparatus and method Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing expandability to a refrigeration servicing unit which includes one or more integrated modules. The modules can communicate with the unit via a wired or wireless connection. The modules can add functionality such as an information module, a refrigerant identifier module, a communication module, a bar code module, and a diagnostic module. (end of abstract) Agent: Baker & Hostetler LLP - Washington, DC, US Inventors: Gary Murray, Marc Rosone USPTO Applicaton #: 20060130510 - Class: 062292000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Refrigeration, With Means For Charging Closed Refrigeration Producing System The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060130510. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application entitled, MODULAR RECOVERY APPARATUS AND METHOD, filed Nov. 30, 2004, having a Ser. No. 60/631,626, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for servicing refrigeration systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to expandability of a refrigeration servicing unit which includes integrated modules. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In recent years, the maintenance of vehicle refrigerant systems has been accomplished utilizing closed-circuit recovery devices that prevent the discharge of refrigerant into the atmosphere. Such systems are typically self-contained units with the capability of recovering the refrigerant from the vehicle and subsequently recharging the system. [0004] As the units for recovery devices have developed and additional requirements and capabilities increase, a wide range of functions have been developed which may be implemented in some preferred platforms of recovery devices. While providing some enhanced capability, the development and incorporation of such features on some recovery device platforms can been costly. Additionally, it is not always clear from the outset as to what specific capability to provide for a recovery device platform. Thus, it is not always expedient to redesign or retrofit a recovery device to include additional functionality after the original design and/or delivery of a preferred platform. Furthermore, while a particular platform functionally may be preferred by some, others may prefer another kind of functionality designed and/or implemented within the platform of a recovery device. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that provide a preferred design and expandability of a refrigeration servicing unit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments a refrigerant recovery system that is adapted to receive modules in order to add functionality to the recovery system. [0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a refrigerant recovery unit for maintenance of a cooling system of a vehicle that can include a recovery circuit configured to recover refrigerant from the cooling system, a processor that communicates with components of the recovery circuit, a housing configured to house the components of the refrigerant recovery unit, and at least one module that can provide a function to the refrigerant recovery unit and communicates with the processor. [0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerant recovery system for maintenance of a cooling system of a vehicle can include a means for controlling components of the refrigerant recovery system, a means for recovering refrigerant from the cooling system, a means for providing functionality to the refrigerant recovery system that can communicate with the means for controlling, and a means for housing the components of the refrigerant recovery system. [0008] Yet another embodiment according to the present invention provides a method of adding functionality to a refrigerant recovery unit that can provide the refrigerant recovery unit having a recovery circuit configured to recover refrigerant from the cooling system, a processor that can communicate with components of the recovery circuit, and a housing configured to house the components of the refrigerant recovery unit. The method can also add at least one module to expand the functionality of the refrigerant recovery unit. [0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. [0010] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0011] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of a refrigerant maintenance system for a vehicle which incorporates an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of the refrigerant maintenance system incorporated in the system shown in FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the initial clear function diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an automatic oil drain method according to an embodiment of the invention. [0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an electronic control unit in communication with various components of the unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing expandability and functionality of a refrigeration servicing unit. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. [0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of a refrigerant maintenance system, which incorporates an embodiment of the present invention. The maintenance system can be a refrigeration servicing unit 10 that couples to and maintains a cooling system such as, for example, a refrigerant circuit for a vehicle's air conditioning system. The unit 10 can be configured as a portable machine mounted within a cabinet or housing 12. The housing 12 can be supported by a plurality of wheels 14, such that it can be conveniently moved to the situs of a vehicle. Unit 10 can include a recovery circuit for coupling to the vehicle's cooling system. The recovery circuit can include a high pressure hose 16 with a coupling 17 which may be coupled, for instance, to a vehicle's high pressure port. The recovery circuit can further include a low pressure hose 18 having a coupling 19, which may be coupled to a low pressure port of the vehicle's refrigerant circuit. The front panel of the housing is shown broken away in FIG. 1 to show the major elements of the system which are also identified by similar numbers in the flow diagram of FIG. 2. Continue reading... Full patent description for Modular recovery apparatus and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Modular recovery apparatus and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Modular recovery apparatus and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Internal clearing function for a refrigerant recovery/recharge machine Next Patent Application: Cooling-cycle device and cold/hot water dispenser comprising the same Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Modular recovery apparatus and method patent info. 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